Main Content

[Wythe-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The icy conditions contributed to a fatal accident in Wythe County.
Authorities say 51- year- old George Hoillis (Hollis) Young of Union Springs, Alabama was killed in the accident.
Young was driving on Northbound I- 81 in Wytheville last night around six, when his vehicle ran off the right side of the road, hit an embankment, and overturned.
Authorities say he was driving too fast for the road conditions.

[AM-Flooding]

Most of the region will be under a flood watch today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The national weather service in Blacksburg is keeping a close eye on the situation.
Meteorologists say Tuesday's snow melt, toppled with last night's ice and today's rain could have area lakes and rivers spilling over their banks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:14:43: 33:00 ]
[IN Q=And all of the]
[SUPER=01-Anita Silverman/Meteorologist;]
((ANITA SILVERMAN:AND ALL OF THAT RAIN, WE COULD GET ONE TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN COMBINED WITH THE WARMER TEMPERATURES WHICH WILL HELP MELT THE ICE WE GET TONIGHT AND THE RAIN WILL HELP MELT THE ICE AND ALL OF THAT IS GOING TO GO INTO THE STREAMS AND CREEKS AND EVENTUALLY THE RIVER SYSTEM. AND THAT'S ENOUGH TO CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING.))
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=for flooding.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If you live in an area that's flood prone, officials say to keep a close eye on your property and be prepared to leave if necessary.
(------------)

[VOB-Edwards]

The wintry weather failed to stop Senator John Edwards from bringing his presidential campaign to Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The weather delayed his plane for more than ninety minutes and therefore Edwards was late to his campaign rally at Patrick Henry High School.
When the presidential candidate showed up, he touched on a variety of issues during a speech that lasted nearly twenty minutes.
One of his main focuses was jobs and how NAFTA has effected this country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:21]
[IN Q=I've lived with this]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/(D) Presidential Candidate; I'VE LIVED WITH THIS. THIS IS NOT ACADEMIC WASHINGTON PERSPECTIVE. I'VE SEEN, MY FATHER WORKED IN A MILL ALL HIS LIFE. I SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE MILL IN MY HOMETOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA CLOSED. IT WAS DEVESTATING.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) Presidential Candidate]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=it was devestating]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Edwards will make another campaign appearance this morning at Virginia Tech followed by one at George Wythe High School in Wytheville.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Campaign 2004]
Wesley Clark will be in Roanoke, Bedford and Lynchburg tomorrow.
Dennis Kucinich has an appearance scheduled in Blacksburg on Monday.

[PKG-City-GOP]

Roanoke Republicans have nominated Alice Hincker for mayor.
And last night, another candidate stepped forward to run for City Council.
Joe Dashiell has more on the GOP mass meeting that also included a close vote on Victory Stadium.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The biggest question I'm asked.]
[SUPER=@Smith; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :19]
[SUPER=01-Alice Hincker/(R) Candidate for Roanoke Mayor; :27]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Jones/(R) Candidate for Roanoke City Council; :44]
[SUPER=01-David Nixon/Mass Meeting Chairman; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]
(( [SOT 09:15:44]
[IN Q=The biggest question I'm asked]
((THE BIGGEST QUESTION I'M ASKED THESE LAST FEW WEEKS IS WHO WILL WATCH THEM NOW? WHO WILL WORK AGAINST THE BIG SPENDERS.))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUT Q=against the big spenders.]

Mayor Ralph Smith offered his endorsement.
And the 42 Republicans who attended the mass meeting nominated Alice Hincker by acclamation.
[SOT 06:03:10]
[IN Q=There are a lot of people]
((THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A CHANGE AND I THINK IF YOU CAN OFFER THEM THAT CHANGE YOU HAVE A CHANCE OF REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=representing the people.]

The surprise came from Wendy Jones, an accountant and financial advisor who said she hopes to restore fiscal responsibility to city government.
[SOT 05:58:53 ]
[IN Q=It's something]
((IT'S SOMETHING I'VE KICKED AROUND FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND I FIGURED THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT. IT'S RIGHT.))
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=It's right.]

Bill Carder, already running for council as an independent, was in the audience. He and other republicans opposed a resolution requiring the GOP candidates to support the renovation of Victory Stadium.
But the resolution passed on a close vote.
[SOT 05:56:53]
[IN Q=Both of these qualifications]
((BOTH OF THESE QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE ADDED REQUIRE OUR CANDIDATES TO COME FORWARD AND STATE YES WE ARE GOING TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THE SPENDING PROGRAMS WE'VE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED CITY COUNCIL ARE GOING TO CEASE.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=are going to cease.]

The Republicans also left the door open for additional candidates.
Tuesday is the deadline for nominations, and while officials say no one is waiting in the wings, they could nominate others for city council if candidates come forward in the next few days.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[Missing-Girl]

Florida authorities say the public may get a chance today to see the NASA- enhanced photos of a child abduction that was caught on tape.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sarasota, FL;]

Meanwhile, family, friends and police continue their search for 11- year- old Carlie Brucia.
Police say they have strong evidence linking the suspect in custody, 37- year- old Joseph P- Smith to Carlie's kidnapping.
But investigators say Smith is not cooperating with them.
Police have asked people in the Sarasota area to keep a look-out for a pink backpack that Carlie was carrying.
(------------)

[Bush-Iraq]

Today President Bush will name a commission to look into intelligence failures in Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Bush's decision to create the commission follows congressional testimony from former chief weapons inspector David Kay, who said that Saddam Hussein did NOT have weapons of mass destruction.
A senior administration official has confirmed that Arizona Republican Senator John McCain will be one of the nine members on the commission.
While President Bush is green- lighting the new panel, he's not backing down from his decision to go to war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Knowing what ]
((KNOWING WHAT I KNEW THEN AND KNOWING WHAT I KNOW TODAY, AMERICA DID THE RIGHT THING IN IRAQ.))
[RUNS=:06] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=thing in Iraq.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

C-I-A Director George Tenet, meanwhile, yesterday defended intelligence findings before the war, and said that analysts never claimed Saddam was an imminent threat.
(------------)

This fall, the school system plans to consolidate four high schools into two.
Yesterday, the school board decided to keep the school colors of Bassett and Magna Vista but also bring the colors over from Laurel Park and Fieldale Collinsville.
As an example, Bassett's colors will be white, blue, orange, and purple.
The school system will implement the change as new jerseys are needed to keep costs down.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

In business news, The January Unemployment Report will be released today.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTION HINGES ON THE JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT
> REPORT...AFTER A DISMAL REPORT FOR DECEMBER WALL STREET IS LOOKING FOR A
> LONG OVERDUE RECOVERY IN THE LABOR MARKET. Analysts are looking for
> something in the neighborhood of 165-thousand new jobs and an unemployment
> rate holding at
> five-point-seven percent.
>
> ON WALL STREET... STOCKS REBOUNDED HELPED BY A JUMP IN JANUARY RETAIL
> SALES
>
> THE DOW MOVED UP ABOUT 25 POINTS
>
> WHILE THE NASDAQ TACKED ON 5.
>
> Mutual fund company M-F-S will pay 225 million dollars, and reduce fees to
> its customers to settle allegations of improper trading.
> The agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission also temporarily
> bans the company's two top executives from the
> industry. M-F-S will pay 175 (m) million dollars in restitution to
> investors and 50 (m) million in penalties.
>
> ON THE STOCKS TO WATCH LIST:
> Electronic Data Systems the world's second-largest seller of computer
> services, LOST $354 million IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. E-D-S HAD TO WRITE
> DOWN COSTS TO BUILD A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK FOR THE U-S NAVY.
>
> Southwest Airlines is giving passengers a faster way of getting to the
> gate. On the day of travel, customers holding electronic tickets may
> print their own boarding passes. If you're checking a bag, you'll still
> need to stop at the Southwest ticket counter.
>
> TRACK ALL THE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS.))
>

[Russia-Train]

An explosion rocked a train in Moscow during rush hour today.
Russian officials say at least 30 people died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Moscow, Russia;]
Authorities say as many as 150 may be injured.
A fire broke out on the underground train and passengers were evacuated from the closest station.
Authorities say it was likely a suicide bomber that set off the explosion on the city's busiest metro lines this morning.
The Russian capital has been on alert for terrorist attacks following a series of suicide bombings blamed on Chechen rebels.
(------------)

[China-Stampede]

A festival marking the end of a two- week New Year's celebration in China turns deadly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]

Chinese officials say a stampede killed nearly 40 people yesterday at the holiday gathering outside Beijing.
More than a dozen others were injured.
The crowd was watching a lantern festival on the final day of
China's Lunar New Year celebrations.
China's president has ordered an investigation, following charges from survivors that there were not enough police on duty to prevent the tragedy, and after it happened, not enough medical care for the injured.
(------------)

[11Amherst-Murder]

Amherst County authorities are looking for a third suspect they think is involved in the murder of a New York City man last month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co./Last Month]

Phillip James was found shot to death and his body dumped over an embankment on River Road January 16th.
Police are now looking for another New York City man.. 24-year-old Alex Raymond Valerio.. in connection with his murder.
They think Valerio may have fled back North.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:09:59]
[IN Q=They've had quite]
((JIMMY AYERS/AMHERST CO. SHERIFF: THEY'VE HAD QUITE A FEW CONTACTS WITH THE PRECINCT THERE IN NEW YORK THAT THE ADDRESSES THAT THEY HAVE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS MAY BE LOCATED THEY'VE HAD PRETTY CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE.))
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Ayers/Amherst Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=attempting to locate.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

26-year-old Jermel Storey and 21-year-old Michael Brian Jenkins also have been arrested and charged with James' murder.
(------------)

[6-Anthrax-Hoax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Adelphia Cable in Lynchburg was evacuated for more than an hour yesterday afternoon after a white substance was found on the sidewalk and around the bill- drop.
Police and firefighters aren't sure what the substance is, but have neutralized it.
Officials say no one was hurt and are calling the incident a hoax.
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[COMM]

[11Seat-belts]

The Senate Transportation Committee has approved tougher seatbelt legislation.
But the bill still has a long road ahead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The panel voted 11-to-four to make failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense.
That means an officer can stop and ticket you for not buckling up.
Under current law, police can only ticket you if you are pulled over for another traffic offense.
The head of Virginia State Police says many of the 456 people killed last year on the state's highways would have survived if they had buckled up.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:49:48]
[IN Q=as your superintendent state police, I want]
((COL. STEVE FLAHERTY/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT: AS YOUR SUPERINTENDENT STATE POLICE I WANT TO STOP USING MY RESOURCES AND SENDING MY TROOPERS TO GO TO PEOPLE'S HOUSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO TELL THEM THEIR LOVED ONES ARE NOT COMING HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Steve Flaherty/Virginia State Police Superintendent]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=TELL THEM THEIR LOVED ONES ARE NOT COMING HOME.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Senator Creigh Deeds said he had always voted against the seatbelt measure.
Deeds said yesterday he changed his position because a friend recently died after being ejected from a car.
The bill must still make it through the full Senate and the House.
(------------)
(kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]
[COMM]

NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS RESUMED THEIR CLIMB DURING THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 31ST.
THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAID 356,000 WORKERS FILED FOR FIRST TIME BENEFITS.
MEANWHILE, THE TOTAL FOR THE PRIOR WEEK WAS REVISED DOWNWARD TO 339,000, REPRESENTING A DECLINE FROM THE WEEK BEFORE THAT.
ECONOMISTS HAD EXPECTED ABOUT THE SAME AGAIN, 340,000 NEW CLAIMS, NOT THE FIVE PERCENT JUMP THAT WAS REPORTED.

PEPSICO POSTED EARNINGS OF 51-CENTS A SHARE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER...UP 30 PERCENT FROM 39-CENTS A YEAR AGO.
THE COMPANY SAYS HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS SNAPPED UP DIET SOFT DRINKS, BOTTLED WATER, AND GATORADE.

WAL-MART POSTED A FIVE-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT INCREASE IN SAME STORE SALES FOR JANUARY.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST RETAILER HAD ANTICIPATED AN INCREASE OF UP TO FIVE-PERCENT FOR THE PERIOD.
DESPITE THE NEWS, WAL-MART CAUTIONED THAT A NON-CASH ADJUSTMENT IN GERMANY MIGHT DIMINISH NET INCOME FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.
WAL-MART IS EXPECTED TO REPORT ITS FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS LATER THIS MONTH.

[11Flint]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC2:00:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
Veterinarian Richard Flint rejects a state veterinary inspector's finding that his hospital is "filthy."
(---------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]
The Franklin County vet faces temporary loss of his license and a huge fine.
It's not just a question of how clean the clinic is.
This investigation began with a complaint that Dr. Flint waited two hours before examining "Gracie," a Terrier mix brought in after being struck by a car.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:09:57 Dr. Flint]
[IN Q=I've practiced]
((DR. RICHARD FLINT/NOAH'S ARK ANIMAL COMPLEX; I'VE PRACTICED VETERINARY MEDICINE FOR 35 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING SUCH AS THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Richard Flint/Noah's Ark Animal Complex]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=such as this.]
(-------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday]
A committee of the state Board of Veterinary Medicine noted this is the fourth time Flint has come before the Board.
He was reprimanded and fined a few hundred dollars each time in the past.
This time he has two choices.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:27:25]
[IN Q=The first choice]
((DR. GEORGE SIEMERING/VA BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE; THE FIRST CHOICE IS A $10,000 FINE AND A VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE FOR FOUR MONTHS.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. George Siemering/Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=for four months.]
(-------------)
[V/O-NAT ]
The second choice is a formal hearing before the full seven member Veterinary Board,
(-------------)